Translation guide
The English verb "squeeze" covers many physical actions and figurative uses. In Japanese, different words are used depending on what is being squeezed, how, and why. This guide organizes the most common meanings for learners.
To compress something by hand to extract liquid, shape it, or apply pressure.
General verb for squeezing to extract liquid (e.g., towel, fruit) or wringing out. Also used for squeezing a tube (e.g., toothpaste).
I squeezed the towel and hung it up to dry.
I squeezed lemons and made juice.
To grip or squeeze in one's hand, often without extracting liquid. Used for squeezing a stress ball, someone's hand, or forming a rice ball.
He squeezed a stress ball.
Technical term for mechanical pressing or squeezing, e.g., in oil extraction.
This factory squeezes soybeans to extract oil.
To embrace someone firmly, often with emotion.
To hug tightly, often with affection or comfort. The most natural equivalent for a warm, tight embrace.
She squeezed her child tightly.
Formal or literary word for embrace. Not used in casual conversation.
Rejoicing at their reunion, the two squeezed each other in an embrace.
To force oneself or something into a small or crowded area.
To cram or pack tightly into a space. Used for both objects and people.
We were squeezed into the packed train.
To push or force into a tight space, often with effort.
Describes a state of being packed like sardines. Often used for crowded places.
The train was so squeezed I couldn't move.
To pressure someone into giving money, time, or resources.
To squeeze out (money, profit, labor) from someone, often with a negative connotation of exploitation.
The landlord squeezes rent out of tenants.
To force or coerce someone into doing something, including giving money or concessions.
They were squeezed for donations.
To make someone pay against their will; a more descriptive phrase.
To pass through a tight space by compressing one's body.
To press or pull a trigger or button, often with a squeezing motion.
English "squeeze" as a hug is not directly translated as 絞る (which means wring out liquid). Use 抱きしめる for a tight, affectionate hug.
絞る implies extracting liquid or wringing; 握る implies gripping in the hand. For squeezing a lemon, use 絞る; for squeezing a hand, use 握る.
Could you squeeze some lemon on my salad?
I squeezed into the crowded elevator.
I squeezed clothes into the suitcase.
彼は本をカバンに押し込んだ。
He squeezed the book into his bag.
He squeezed his friend for the meal cost.
To pass through a narrow space, more general than すり抜ける.
I squeezed through a narrow gap.
He squeezed the handle.